edwin_m
Veteran Member
Some parts of the bus industry do pretty well despite the framework they have to operate under. And the anti-competitive behaviour isn't because they are evil but because they have to do that to survive and prosper under deregulation.We run the risk here of disappearing down the usual rabbit hole and, as always, we have had the par exemplar of Zurich thrown into the mix. As if Brexit hasn't highlighted the differences enough (and I don't want a debate on that), there is a completely different ethos in Europe. They are prepared to SPEND public money on creating a cogent connected public transport network whilst, in the UK, the Tories have pursued a policy of hollowing out the state. We are spending less, even in London.
Also, you look at how social policies are constructed in many European municipal areas in terms of sustainable development etc. We just don't do that - there is a god given right (it seems) to not only drive your tin box around and then to abandon it as close to your house as possible. Culturally, we are very different and sadly, our politicians (with a few exceptions) will not upset the voters by a) spending more money (or at least not when there are more "deserving" causes) and b) constrain some aspects of car use if only by levelling out the playing field.
FFS, we've not seen a fuel duty increase in the budget since 2011 because we don't wish to penalise "hard pressed families" aka voters yet bus fares have had to increase as wages and pensions increased for staff AND BSOG has been reduced PLUS twirly pass remuneration has been slashed WITH other legislative requirements also being introduced.
To be absolutely honest, the UK bus industry provides a decent product DESPITE government policy and the relative lack of funding.
Therefore, the idea that somehow, the Welsh Government, Andy Burnham or anyone can suddenly provide a London style network without the funding is tantamount to alchemy!
Some form of franchising is of course a pre-requisite if government at whatever level wishes to pump money into the bus industry as a quick and relatively cheap way of reducing congestion and improving local transport, as Ken Livingstone did at the time of the congestion charge. Try and do that under deregulation and some operator or other would be consulting the lawyers about unfair competition.